Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Sept. 19, 2005, edition 1 / Page 5
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00% (Ear lirrl Transit buses see shiny upgrades BY MICHAEL TODD STAFF WRITER A remanufactured Chapel Hill Transit bus spun aluminum rims and gold-colored lug nuts Friday during its maiden voyage. “We’ll have a little bling on our buses," said Kurt Neufang, interim director of Chapel Hill Transit. Seven 1990 RTS buses, which are the oldest in the town’s fleet, are being remanufactured now, and 13 buses in total will be updated. Neufang said that each complet ed bus is expected to arrive from Riverside, Calif., in 10-to-14 day intervals. The restoration for each vehicle costs $196,000 and takes about 40 days to complete. Technicians dismantle the entire vehicle except for the chassis, according to a press release issued by the town of Chapel Hill. Remanufacturing can almost double a bus’s lifespan. Neufang said the buses were well-built and are worth saving. “They exceed the normal life expectancy for a normal transit vehicle,” he said, adding that 12 to 13 years is a normal lifespan for such a vehicle. Each refurbished bus will get a new engine, drive train and anew or rebuilt suspension. Technicians also will add anew bike rack and wheelchair lift on each bus. Macy Neshati, vice president of sales and marketing for Complete Coach Works, said remanufactur ing an older bus is cheaper and more environmentally sound than purchasing anew bus. “It’s effectively anew bus for half the money,” Neshati said. “We are trying to keep quality vehicles out on the streets instead of letting them pile up in ajunkyard.” JORDAN FROM PAGE 3 happening in America. ' Despite a general animosity toward U.S. foreign policy in the region throughout the last half cen tury, my Jordanian friends treated me as one of their own. In fact, this kindness even manifested itself recently when a Jordanian friend e-mailed the group regarding his concern about the “tornado” hitting North Carolina he saw on the news Hurricane Ophelia. Perceived American injustices in the region were also treated with humor. As some other UNC students and I prepared to play soccer with our Palestinian friends, one jok ingly suggested that the UNC team should be called the “Bulldozers,” in reference to the United States’ support of Israel and its policy of demolishing the homes of alleged Palestinian terrorists. These experiences humanized the people that are often demon ized in the U.S. media. Arabs aren’t people who train for jihad on monkey bars all day. Arabs aren’t people who burn U.S. flags fZEGAL. CINEMAS DIG - OIGITAI. SOUND BARGAIN SHOWS IN . ) * Pass.'Discount Ticket ResiMtbcnAAppp, > TIMBERLYNE 6 933 8600 Weaver Dairy at Airport fid 300-FASQANGQ I74ia JUST LIKE HEAVEN (PG-13) DIG (105 310 520) 730 945 EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE (PG-13) DIG * (100 325)710 935 THE BROTHERS GRIMM (PG-13) (100 330) 700 930 RED EYE (PG-13) (130 315 510)720 940 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN (R) -ID REQ'D (115 335) 705 935 WEDDING CRASHERS (R) -ID REQ'D (110 340) 725 955 The Seventh-day^ Church /V / lA/et/c-o/rres’ t foa/ *° Advejitist. Christian Tellowsnip ( acf> • Coffees • Lunches • Friday Vespers • Contemporary Christian Church Services /Wore- htfo: Leah Miraglia miraglia@email.unc.edu or unc-ch@acflink.org W j ill if * I DTH/KATE lord Sophomore Megan Fox and junior Jared Ostendorf, the first two riders on the renovated NU bus, are greeted with balloons and confetti Friday. The company replaces an oil burning two-stroke engine with a four-stroke version that Neshati said conserves 50-to-70 percent more fuel; Scott Blacknell, a town bus driv er for about 16 years who drove the first refurbished bus, said he pre ferred his usual vehicle. “It just doesn’t have the power the other bus had,” Blacknell said, noting that the bus slowed to 18 mph as it climbed a hill on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Blacknell was also unimpressed with the refurbished model’s ride and steering. But Blacknell said some of the features, such as the electronically controlled mirrors on the new bus were an improvement. Technicians replaced nearly everything except the stainless steel chassis, which Neufang says are irreplaceable. constantly. And they’re certainly not people who should be humiliated simply because of their skin color. I didn’t need to go halfway around the world to learn that, but after living in the Middle East for six weeks, that concept takes on new meaning. My time in Jordan was also a les son in ethnocentrism, the arrogant refusal to consider other cultures within their own unique contexts. As Americans, our group tended to question the Jordanian monar chy in relation to our representative government, Arab women’s rights in relation to American women’s rights, and, for some, Jordanian toi let models versus American ones. These comparisons impressed upon me the complexities of the Middle East and, indeed, the world. There are no one-size-fits-all pana ceas for the world’s problems nor are there an infinite number of solutions. Somewhere in the ambiguous Huu muck u-oulf) you pay a- >exoru) cha/iceF Emergency J Contraception l can prevent \ pregnancy up to five days after unprotected sex. <g# Call Pial EC for more informJ|jon and a presc|||tion, 7 days a P Planned Parenthood “The life expectancy of a normal transit vehicle is about 10 to 12 years, and these buses have lasted much longer than that,” Neufang said. Catherine Lazorko, the town’s information officer, said the project is a preventative measure. “This was an innovative way for Chapel Hill Transit to keep its fleet strong,” she said. Lazorko said high demands for public transportation in the area forced some creative thinking from town officials. Chapel Hill Transit has a fleet of 86 buses that carry about 5 million passengers each year. “Our fleet is so well-used, they wouldn’t send all 13 buses to be refurbished at the same time,” Lazorko said. Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu. gray area between absolutism and relativism where an Islamic min aret and McDonald’s arches share the skyline lies the complex value judgments we make everyday. The amalgamation of these concepts and the idiosyncrasies of Jordanian culture taught me more than any course at UNC ever could have. So that’s why I have trouble summing up my experience in one word. And for all you people out there looking for one-word answers, I can only offer you a one-word sug gestion: travel. Contact Sam Dolbee at dolbee@email.unc.edu. ""Lumina S Take 1 S/501 South towards Pittsboro Exit Main St./Southern Village JUST LIKE HEAVEN EHS 1:35-4:10-7:05-9:35 LORD OF WARS 1:45-4:20-7:15-9:45 MARCH OF THE PENGUINS 83 1 30 3:30 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN S 1:45-4:20-7:20-9:50 CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY m 7 45 Matinees |TA D , Um 55.00 |D I Q ITA L I SEATING Free Peer Tutoring Tliesday & Wednesday evenings from 6-9 pm at 2nd floor of Dey Hall beginning September 13 & 14, 2005 Peer tutors available on a drop-in basis - first come, first serve - to help in the following courses: TUESDAY 6-9 pm Spanish 1-4, French 1-4, Portuguese 1,3, Arabic 101, Psychology 10, Math 10, 30, 31, 32, 33, Econ 10, 100, 101, Statistics 11, 31, Business 71 (Accounting), Chemistry 11, 21,41,61,62, Biology 11, 50, 52-54, Physics 24, 25, 26 WEDNESDAY 6-9 pm Spanish 1-4, French 1-4, German 1-4, etc., Arabic 101, Math 10, 30, 31, 32, 33, Econ 10, Biology 11,45, 52, 54, Chemistry 11,21, 61, 62, Physics 26 For additional help in physics, chemistry and math, try these free resources The Math Help Center The Chemistry Resource Center 224 Phillips 225 Venable Hall 3:30-7:3opm Mon-Thur l2:00-6:00pm Monday-Thursday The Physics Tutorial Center 245 Phillips Bam-6pm Monday-Friday (as tutors are available) See schedule on door for Phys 16, 24, 25, 26, 27 QUESTIONS? CALL 962-3782 Sponsored by the Peer Tutoring Program and UNC Learning Center News MORGAN CREEK FROM PAGE 3 two issues would be tied together by the impact of Carolina North. Ed Harrison, an incumbent coun cil member, emphasized the perspec tive he brings to various issues as an environmental planner. Mark Kleinschmidt, an incum bent candidate, emphasized the unique nature of Chapel Hill’s solu tions to a variety of problems. He also said that downtown is on the verge of a “renaissance.” Will Raymond, a challenger, advocated the establishment of a new, more professional relation ship with University officials, whose plans for Carolina North he has criticized. Bill Thorpe, a former council member running for office, did not take a stab at development or Carolina North, but told the resi dents that he was able to get things done on Town Council. Residents said they enjoyed the forum so much they might have PLEDGE FROM PAGE 3 But Muller said the bill, which is being reviewed in the Senate judiciary committee, might draw its true worth from the discussion that follows. “It may be that the value of the proposal is not that it would get passed but that it would be debat ed,” he said. “Legislators are trying to impress upon the judges how serious they are.” Muller also said the other piec es of legislation most likely were intended to influence the opinions of future judges. “They’re people,” Muller said. “It would be human nature for people to be at least a little bit aware and A Chapel Hill Dining Tradition Since 1948 Buy 8 oz Burger, Get 2nd Free Must Purchase 2 Beverages Valid through 09/23/05 • Offer not valid with any other promotions, or alcoholic beverages • Must present coupon Open Daily 11:00am-11:00pm • 157 'A E Franklin Street • 919-942-5158 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 mL Mm DTH/TED STRONG Council candidates Jason Baker and Robin Cutson discuss town issues with resident Pat Brooks before the forum at Morgan Creek on Saturday. another, with or without politicos. David Morgan, who opened his yard to the gathering, said that the event was a memorable occasion. “I think it went great, it’s a beautiful day, beautiful Carolina potentially swayed by criticism.” Experts predict the case will take the traditional route of appeals and arrive on the desks of the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, bypassing any legislation regarding jurisdic tion. “I expect the Supreme Court will hear this case in the next couple years,” said Michael Gerhardt, a professor in the UNC School of Law. “It is a possibility that the federal appeals court overturns the ruling, and it will end there.” Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu’s concerns about the ruling extend past the pledge to other references to God in American life. Landrieu, a Democrat, introduced a resolu tion to protect the phrase “In God we trust” on coins and bills. THE HUTCHINS FORUM ON THE SOUTH BUBBAS & BAMAS,' REDNECKS & RAPPERS: THE NEW FACES OF SOUTHERN IDENTITY" Hear James Cobb TODAY at 12:30 PM in 569 Hamilton Hall. Admission is free. Refreshments served. Co-sponsored by the Hutchins Forum on the South at UNC’s Center for the Study of the American South and by UNC’s Department of History. 962-5665. blue sky, nice candidates who were able to concisely give us (answers),” he said. Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu. But experts say they do not expect the fate of those phrases to rest on the fate of the pledge. “I don’t think the two are related at all,” Gerhardt said. “They go back to different peri ods in our history. The pledge is different in that the pledge is some thing that is required to be said in schools." And the question likely will lin ger on until the final word is given from the nation’s highest court, he said. “I do think that if the Supreme Court issues a ruling on the con stitutionality of the pledge as it is written, (then) that will likely stand the test of time.” Contact the State National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu. 5
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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